These are SA’s top selling SUVs and crossovers

SA’s passenger car market saw encouraging growth in November, rising to 35,101 units for a 20% gain over the same month last year.

As usual the biggest market segment was crossovers and SUVs, reflecting a change in lifestyle needs as consumers shift away from sedans to vehicles with a greater ground clearance and better perceived practicality.

Last month the segment was again led by the Toyota Corolla Cross which sold 2,655 units. The locally built car has been a big success since its launch in 2021 and last month it outsold the next best-selling SUV, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, by more than double.

Chery also had the Tiggo 7 Pro in the top 20, in a segment that has an increasing number of Chinese players including Haval and more recently Omoda.

The Toyota Fortuner continues to defy trends by being a large SUV that not only dominates its market niche but also outsells many smaller and cheaper crossovers. It sold 872 units last month compared to its chief rival, the Ford Everest (282). Toyota is the country’s best selling brand with a nearly 25% market share and had four vehicles in the top 20 SUV/crossover sellers last month.

The Mahindra 3X0, Hyundai Exter and Toyota Starlet Cross are affordable new entrants to the compact crossover market that have resonated with buyers. The Exter took over from the larger Venue as Hyundai’s most popular crossover.

A standout performer was Kia’s recently updated Sonet which had an excellent month with over 1,000 units, aided by the launch of the new LS entry-level model.

SA’s 20 best selling SUVs in November 2024:

Toyota Corolla Cross — 2,655

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro — 1,191

Haval Jolion — 1,062

Kia Sonet — 1,059

Nissan Magnite — 945

Suzuki Fronx — 888

Toyota Fortuner — 872

Toyota Urban Cruiser — 870

Toyota Starlet Cross — 710

Renault Kwid — 692

Mahindra 3X0 — 511